Hello from a newbie
Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:08 am
Hi, I thought it was time I said hello after joining a couple of weeks ago.
Just a little about me and my past experiences with butterflies. I had the opportunity in 1975 as part of my degree course (Applied Biology), to spend 6 months with Ernie Pollard at the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology at Monks Wood. I would carry out daily transects for Ernie, netting and marking Small Heath butterflies as part of his population study research. What a summer, and what happy, carefree days for a student!
During that summer, I also got the chance to help Marney Hall (if I remember right her surname was King back then??) release Swallowtails into Wicken Fen. Beautiful insects, and what a priveledge to be involved. I understand that this particular reintroduction wasnt too successful unfortunately. I hope it wasnt anything I did!
A lot of time passed until I got as up close and personal with butterflies again, although I have always maintained my interest in nature and the environment. I bought a DSLR two years ago and once I got a bit confident with it, the most natural subject to try and get some photos of was butterflies. I started off with extension tubes on a zoom lens and then progressed to a macro lens last year. I have truly got the bug and cant wait for spring to arrive.
You can see some of my efforts on http://www.flickr.com/photos/nigpd/ where I have a butterfly set.
I have booked a place on the April Photography Workshop where I will be looking, listening and learning how to do improve my photography.
Looking forward to meeting fellow members too.
regards
Nigel
Just a little about me and my past experiences with butterflies. I had the opportunity in 1975 as part of my degree course (Applied Biology), to spend 6 months with Ernie Pollard at the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology at Monks Wood. I would carry out daily transects for Ernie, netting and marking Small Heath butterflies as part of his population study research. What a summer, and what happy, carefree days for a student!
During that summer, I also got the chance to help Marney Hall (if I remember right her surname was King back then??) release Swallowtails into Wicken Fen. Beautiful insects, and what a priveledge to be involved. I understand that this particular reintroduction wasnt too successful unfortunately. I hope it wasnt anything I did!
A lot of time passed until I got as up close and personal with butterflies again, although I have always maintained my interest in nature and the environment. I bought a DSLR two years ago and once I got a bit confident with it, the most natural subject to try and get some photos of was butterflies. I started off with extension tubes on a zoom lens and then progressed to a macro lens last year. I have truly got the bug and cant wait for spring to arrive.
You can see some of my efforts on http://www.flickr.com/photos/nigpd/ where I have a butterfly set.
I have booked a place on the April Photography Workshop where I will be looking, listening and learning how to do improve my photography.
Looking forward to meeting fellow members too.
regards
Nigel